We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amy Cavanaugh. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Amy, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
All the time…I have to remind myself that our current ‘immediacy’ environment is not always serving us well. Sitting on tough questions and challenging problems can be a blessing. Sometimes one night’s sleep can offer greater clarity and insight into complicated and complex interrelational problems.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve spoken a lot about myself through this platform, so I’m more interested in talking about Maryland Art Place (MAP.) As I reach almost 15 years as the Executive Director of MAP its hard not to reflect on how I got here and why I stayed. This place is more than a five-story building. It has served Maryland artists for nearly 45 years and our close ties with the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) have made it possible for our mission to continue. We have been managing the State Arts Directory and Resource Bulletin for over three decades as part of that relationship.
But in terms of our Mission, MAP is currently going through strategic planning and I’m proud to announce our newly revised statement: MAP inspires people throughout the region by championing creatives and cultivating engagement between artists and the public. With support from seasoned Program Committee members and Board Trustees we were able to synthesize our work through this new statement. We have also added a Vision Statement which did not exist before: MAP imagines a world where arts are universally respected, freely expressed, and culturally fundamental. MAP’s commitment to freedom of expression these last 45 years really resonates during this difficult time for the arts.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom 100%. If you’re doing something you love it feels less like work, but to not work, that’s a whole other thing. The pursuit of leisure is a farce and passing. Leisure is only meaningful within the context of work – you will enjoy that vacation and night out a whole lot more if you feel you’ve been productive and accomplished. While “work” can be challenging, I find great satisfaction in what I do and how I spend my time…even more so because I believe in what I do.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
All the time, but I’m stubborn. Knowing when to give up is the trick. There is a time to call if quits. My bigger issues is NOT giving up when I should.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I’d like to think I am genuinely who I am all the time. I don’t like misrepresenting myself or MAP and I don’t appreciate when others do. In my opinion concealing your true self usually comes back to bite you in *#@! Even if for a short moment you think you have a false identity on lock.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
MAP is hard. I think there is a level of misconception that steering this ship is all openings and art direction. Unfortunately it is more administrative leaning. It’s honestly hard to know what people think about my role here exactly, but I do know we are doing much more than we are able to push out to the public, Promoting our work has never been our strong suit.
MAP is more than an art galley. We incubate creative businesses and artists, we support our eco-system when at all possible, we volunteer, sit on committees and Boards, we care. And sometimes we give too much when we should pull back. Non profit does not mean work for free. This plays out a lot when other business sectors reach out for art services. Our time has value, and like artists, the “exposure” of our artists and our organization does not pay for the elevator repair bill.
All that said, MAP’s operating infrastructure is good and based on decades of work and effort from truly amazing and dedicated people. Next year we will be celebrating 45 years in operation. There are many wonderful supporters, legacy donors, and artists to recognize in this moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mdartplace.org
- Instagram: @marylandartplace
- Linkedin: @maryalndartplace
- Facebook: @marylandartplace
Image Credits
E. Brady Robinson
Tedd Henn
Jim Doran
Bilal Ahmed-Farid
